Forensic Science International: Synergy 1 (2019) 285e287

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Forensic Science International: Synergy

journal homepage: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/
forensic-science-international-synergy/

Crime scene investigation in Pakistan: A perspective

a b s t r a c t

Keywords: Crime scene investigation is an important tool in criminal investigation process. Proper processing of
Pakistan crime scene is a prerequisite for successfully solving a criminal case. In Pakistan, local policemen are not
Crime scene properly trained and equipped with the necessary items required for systematic processing of crime
Investigation process
scene including proper identification and collection of evidence. Certain capacity building measures and
Capacity building
improvements must be needed for proper processing of crime scene in Pakistan. This article focuses the
current situation and strategies being practiced in Pakistan followed by suggestions for capacity building
measures in this field.
© 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND
license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

1. Introduction
Crime scene processing is one of the most crucial aspects of
active and successful criminal investigations. True crime scene in-
vestigations which primarily deal with the identification, collec-
tion, proper packaging, transport and analysis of evidence
material is the result of forensic science. If schematically searched
and properly handled, various tentative evidences found on the
crime scene can become effective forensic evidences [1]. The differ-
ence between a local policemen and trained crime scene investi-
gator is that the latter being aware of sensitivity of crime scene
puts serious efforts to identify and collect forensic evidence from
the scene. Crime scenes which are not managed well would lead
to either loss of evidence or poor quality evidence resulting in erro-
neous exonerations or convictions in a criminal justice system [2].
In the past, it was practiced that it is duty of the local policemen
to manage and process a crime scene followed by evidence collec-
tion for downstream forensic investigations. It has been speculated
for a long time that forensic analysis begins at the laboratories and
not from the crime scene [3,4]. However, in recent years, courts are
relying heavily on the forensic analysis of evidences collected from
the crime scene thus adapting more objective approach for final
verdict [5]. As the importance of crime scene is appreciated, its
role in modern day policy making and model buildings has also
been evaluated to reduce the risk of crimes and for also crime pre-
vention. Evidence documentation and reason of its collection is also
considered an important part of intelligence-led policing, which
further necessitates the requirement of properly trained and expe-
rienced crime scene personnel to process the crime scene.
Intelligence-led policing is an outcome of proper crime scene anal-
ysis and manifestation so that the information extracted could be
used to develop forensics intelligence. Traces or information
collected from crime scenes are also helpful in building future secu-
rity models based on these intelligence [6,7]. Some proceedings ex-
amples from past are evident that proper crime scene investigation
may also help judicial procedures to prevent wrong convictions [8].
The evidence collected from the crime scene plays an important
role in identification and individualization of a criminal present
at the crime scene [9]. So there is a need of application of proper
techniques and protocols for evidence collection, handling, storage
and subsequent delivery to the forensic laboratory necessary for
downstream testing of evidence material. Most of the time, due
to non-availability of suitable techniques and training, the evidence
may go unrecognized so not collected at all or if collected but not
preserved by using right protocol it may get compromised so
render no value for laboratory procedures [10].
2. Importance of crime scene investigation
There are examples in past where lack of expertise and poor
handling of evidence at crime scenes lead to negative impact on
final verdict. Poor handling, preservation and incomplete crime
scene investigation left gap in evidence in O. J. Simpson famous trial
leading to fail in getting conviction. In spite of mountain of evi-
dence given by prosecutor, serious doubts had been created by de-
fense on evidences [11,12]. Impact of lacking proper training also
influenced the crime scene processing including evidence collec-
tion and subsequently case investigation as well. For example, in
the case of O. J. Simpson, both the first responder and crime scene
supervisor were not properly trained and were lacking basic infor-
mation of crime scene technicality. So it also has proven to loss the
conviction in spite of pile of evidences [13].
3. Crime scene processing in Pakistan—A much neglected
area
Crime scenes are often investigated poorly in developing coun-
tries like Pakistan because forensic science is rarely considered a
part of the process. Importance of crime scene investigations has
not only been neglected but has also been trivialized in past

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2019.06.046
2589-871X/© 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
286 R.M. Mateen, A. Tariq / Forensic Science International: Synergy 1 (2019) 285e287
decades. One reason of substandard crime scene processing in
Pakistan is lack of many crime-solving technologies which have
already been utilized in developed nations. However, the nature
and magnitude of terrorist attacks, activism in judicial institutions,
extensive media engagement and growing public awareness have
put pressure on police force to look beyond traditional methods
of investigation. Though forensic methodologies are not infallible
but going forensic is unavoidable if the police are to respond to
the innovations taking place in the field of crime [14]. Capacity of
the policing in Pakistan to deliver on cracking a case is severely
diminished by the lack of forensic services, inadequate training
and equipment. As we know an efficient functioning police service
is required for solving many hideous crimes [15].
Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA), Lahore has well estab-
lished Crime Scene Units (CSU) with satellite stations located at
Lahore, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujranwala, Multan,
Sahiwal, Sargodha, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad division of Punjab
comprising professionally trained forensic scientist. Whenever
there is an unfortunate event of crime, CSU approaches the area
of crime scene and after processing the crime scenes, retrieves
the evidence materials transporting to their relevant laboratory
housed in PFSA, Lahore (https://pfsa.punjab.gov.pk/). National
Forensic Science Agency (NFSA) has its own CSU working at Islam-
abad covering most of the city and its nearby areas like Rawalpindi
district and some part of Attock district. In Balochistan province,
crime scene investigations are mostly accomplished by the local
policemen who are not well trained and also lack equipment neces-
sary for the tedious task. Recently United Nations Office on Drug
and Crime (UNODC) has provided two modern mobile CSU to Balo-
chistan province of Pakistan for capacity building of crime scene
investigation process in the province (https://www.unodc.org/
pakistan/en/handing-over-of-two-mobile-crime-scene-
investigation-units-to-balochistan-police.html). Same scenario is
in Kyber Pakhnukhwa province where crime scene investigation
process is also handled by the local policemen. Forensic Science
Laboratory (FSL), Peshawar, has well established crime scene inves-
tigating units for proper processing of scene of crime, but it does
not cover whole Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (http://www.
kpfsl.gov.pk/content&id¼163). In Sindh province of Pakistan, crime
scene investigation units are not yet available and crime scene pro-
cessing is mostly done by the local policemen, however, significant
efforts are being made by the local government in this regard.
4. Suggestions
In order to survive as crime-control agents and answer to a more
vigilant society, police organizations must focus on comparatively
testable and hence more reliable means such as material evidence
and crime scene science. In addition it is critical for counterter-
rorism efforts in Pakistan that the evidence obtained from the
crime scenes are well handled and preserved for downstream
forensic laboratory examination so that identification process is
accomplished.
PFSA, established merely more than a decade ago, being the only
complete forensics setup in Pakistan is not sufficient to cover the
200 million population so it is a cry-need to develop more forensic
labs at provisional level with their functional CSU via regional sat-
ellite station in every province. Though PFSA CSU is modernized
and up-to date for effective processing of crime scene in case of
any unfortunate incidence, it is further suggested that satellite sta-
tions of CSU must be established at each district of Pakistan for
prompt and timely access at the scene.
Proper training of law enforcement agency prioritizing police
force could prove a good strategy as first responders at the crime
scene is highly important. It could have done by designating a
department in police to such personnel's which are trained in
this respect.
Police must be provided with CSI vans supplemented with mod-
ern day forensics technology like evidence collection kits, UV flash-
lights, laser bullet trajectory devices, protective suits, latent print
supplies, gunshot residue kits, blood stain evidence kits along
with presumptive blood detection kits, potable and remote area
lights among other equipment and supplies.
5. Conclusion
As technology progresses, criminals adopt new technologies
more quickly and in innovative ways, especially digital technolo-
gies. Crime scene management and investigation are key parts in
the criminal investigation process. Local police who handle crime
scenes may not be familiar with the latest techniques in crime
scene processing or have inadequate resources; this may result in
contamination of evidence or loss of precious evidence material.
There is an immediate need of crime scene investigation units in
Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces of Pakistan.
It is true that crime scene investigation units are now established in
PFSA, Lahore and NFSA, Islamabad but due to large population size
in Pakistan most of the crime scene processing is dealt by local
policing who do not have proper equipment and training to process
the scene according to forensic needs. Establishment of crime scene
units at district level is required along with capacity building of the
already established crime scene units in Pakistan for proper pursue
of justice.
Conflict of Interest
Author declare conflict of interest.
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*
Corresponding author. Institute of Biochemistry & Biotechnology,
Rana Muhammad Mateen University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan.
Department of Life Sciences, School of Science, University of E-mail address: asmi_mahmood@yahoo.com (A. Tariq).
Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
8 June 2019
Available online 19 July 2019